Reflective decals for helmets?
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 95
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From: Rosamond Ca
Reflective decals for helmets?
Anyone put any reflective decals on their helmet for added visability? If so post some pics and or links please. Thinking about doing it to my FF helmet. Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 7
From: Rochester N.Y.
In my state of New York there is a mandatory reflective requirement of 4 square inches of reflective material on the rear and both sides of the helmet.
I don't have any photos , but I use the brightest DOT red and white tape that you see on trucks on the highway for my material.
Usually I use the red on the rear and white on the sides for colors.
The tape is really thick so I make patterns out of thin cardboard and follow the contour of the helmet to make my guides.
A really long piece of straight reflector would end up with a long arch pattern for the helmet.
I just try to make tasteful long pieces that follow the helmet contours to comply with the law.
A fellow HOG member got a ticket in Lockport New York for the reflective material law , In all fairness , he probably lipped off to the officer and the officer was looking for "anything" to ticket him for because of it.
It's not a bad idea anyway if it makes us more "visible" to traffic.
Hey I wear the stupid yellow/green vest when I'm not on a club ride also.
Mick
I don't have any photos , but I use the brightest DOT red and white tape that you see on trucks on the highway for my material.
Usually I use the red on the rear and white on the sides for colors.
The tape is really thick so I make patterns out of thin cardboard and follow the contour of the helmet to make my guides.
A really long piece of straight reflector would end up with a long arch pattern for the helmet.
I just try to make tasteful long pieces that follow the helmet contours to comply with the law.
A fellow HOG member got a ticket in Lockport New York for the reflective material law , In all fairness , he probably lipped off to the officer and the officer was looking for "anything" to ticket him for because of it.
It's not a bad idea anyway if it makes us more "visible" to traffic.
Hey I wear the stupid yellow/green vest when I'm not on a club ride also.
Mick
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 7
From: Rochester N.Y.
Smyln , is is a written requirement in New York although not generally enforced.
I'm pretty sure it's not a Federal requirement.
Non residents should not be affected , but towns can do noise control at their discretion , so watch the loud pipes in populated areas.
Older guys (like me) and Touring riders (like us) probably get hassled the least anyway .....
Mick
I'm pretty sure it's not a Federal requirement.
Non residents should not be affected , but towns can do noise control at their discretion , so watch the loud pipes in populated areas.
Older guys (like me) and Touring riders (like us) probably get hassled the least anyway .....
Mick
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 3
Are you sure about that? I can't find anything about it in the NYS V&T laws, I live in NY, took the MSF course in NY, and have a NYS M class license. Noone I ride with in NY ever heard of it either.
Nothing here about that either. I think you are mistaken.
http://www.abateny.org/mclaws.html
BUT WAIT!
Holy crap, look at this:
http://www.newyorkbikerlawyers.com/n...ycle-laws.html
More research is warranted!
But wait again, here's the section of the specific statute, and NOTHING about reflectorization:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...px?reg=571.218
Nothing here about that either. I think you are mistaken.
http://www.abateny.org/mclaws.html
BUT WAIT!
Holy crap, look at this:
http://www.newyorkbikerlawyers.com/n...ycle-laws.html
More research is warranted!
But wait again, here's the section of the specific statute, and NOTHING about reflectorization:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...px?reg=571.218
Last edited by cameraboy; May 19, 2011 at 09:57 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 2
From: NW Florida
Mick is correct about the 4 sq inches of reflective tape on the helmets. It's been in effect since the early 70's.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 7
From: Rochester N.Y.
Here's part of the answer , under Special Rules and required equipment.
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/mcmanual/mclicenses.htm
It's more than a recommendation according to local law enforcement.
"All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear approved motorcycle helmets as defined by USDOT federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS 218). To improve the motorcyclist's visibility, we recommend that helmets have at least four square inches of reflective material on both sides."
I'm sure it's more strongly worded elsewhere , but it's enough to hang you up for a closer look by the local police.
Mick
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/mcmanual/mclicenses.htm
It's more than a recommendation according to local law enforcement.
"All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear approved motorcycle helmets as defined by USDOT federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS 218). To improve the motorcyclist's visibility, we recommend that helmets have at least four square inches of reflective material on both sides."
I'm sure it's more strongly worded elsewhere , but it's enough to hang you up for a closer look by the local police.
Mick
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Springs NY
As a NY rider, and never hearing about this one I did some looking. Found this here
Section SPECIAL RULES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
"All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear approved motorcycle helmets as defined by USDOT federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS 218). To improve the motorcyclist's visibility, we recommend that helmets have at least four square inches of reflective material on both sides."
Hope this helps
Hoov
Section SPECIAL RULES AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
"All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear approved motorcycle helmets as defined by USDOT federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS 218). To improve the motorcyclist's visibility, we recommend that helmets have at least four square inches of reflective material on both sides."
Hope this helps
Hoov
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
Yeah they forced that crap on us back in '69. It was part of the DOT forcing states to have a helmet law from 1966. A cop wrote this guy a ticket for not having reflectorized tape on his helmet at 3:00 in the afternoon in August of '72. He was pissed. The guy beat the ticket and formed an organization that helped get the Federal mandate off requiring states to have helmet laws. It passed in '76. When that was done he got a State Senator to sponser a repeal bill in '77. A lot of guys told him he was crazy and they would never repeal that helmet law. After all 49 States had it. The helmet law was repealed here and the fatality rate dropped. We've been riding free for 34 years this May 27. All of that because of that 4 square inch tape bit and a chickenshit cop. So that 4 square inch law was good for something. I saw some pictures of that guy leading a protest rally back in '76 in a scrapbook. It was a much younger version of me.
Last edited by Northside; May 19, 2011 at 10:43 PM.
